Exhaust machine head assembly



July 23, 1957 gj-LDODGE 2,799,982

EXHAUST MACHINE ASSEMBLY Filed Dan. 31, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENfRERLE H. DODGE ATTORNEY July 23, 1957 EH DODGE 2,799,982

EXHAUST MACHINE HEAD ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 31,, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 w86' m0 156' w VENTOR DQDGE y 1957 E. H. DODGE 2,799,982

EXHAUST MACHINE HEAD ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 31, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I IINVENTOR ERLE H DODGE B a July 23, 1957 H DODGE 2,799,982

EXHAUST MACHINE HEAD ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 31. 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I m/92 w A96 I 30 '0 9.0 L5, B70 2 40 [(0 3 00 3.?!) 360 78a 754 a 72w I 306'0 .9 0 217 I /80 2 /0 240 300 3.?0 360 V I I I l l I Q? a 05 00 0%! m?INVENTOR ERLE H. mouse ATTORN Y Y 1957 E. H. DODGE 2,799,982

EXHAUST MACHINE HEAD ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 31, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTOR ERLE H. DODGE ATTORNEY Unite States Patent EXHAUST MACHiNE HEADASSEMBLY Erle H. Dodge, Beverly, Mass assignor to Sylvania ElectricProducts Inc, Salem, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts ApplicationDecember 31, 1953, Serial No. 401,684)

3 Claims. (Cl. 53-88) This invention relates to the manufacture ofelectric discharge devices and more particularly to the exhaustingoperation performed on these devices during their manufacture.

An object of this invention is to provide a head assembly for electricdischarge device exhaust machine.

Another object is to provide a head assembly for an electirc dischargedevice exhaust machine of the continuous motion type, i. e., a headassembly which makes it possible to load, process, and unload theelectric discharge devices while the machine is in continuous motion.

A further object is to provide a head assembly for an electric dischargedevice exhaust machine with its own individual tipping torch for sealingoff the tabulation, through which the device is exhausted and filled,after these operations have been performed.

A further object is to provide a head assembly for an electric dischargedevice exhaust machine with an automatic means for positioning thedevice with the applica- .tion of a minimum stress thereto.

A further object is to provide a head assembly for an electric dischargedevice exhaust machine with automatic means for compensating forvariations in the length of the devices and the tabulations projectingtherefrom.

A further object is to provide a head assembly for an electric dischargedevice exhaust machine with automatic means for applying a positiveend-on force to the tubulation projecting from the device to effect anaccurate positioning thereof and for relieving this force after thetubulation has been gripped by the head.

Th se and other objects, advantages and features of the invention willbe apparent to those skilled in the art from a study of a specificembodiment thereof shown in the accompanying drawings and describedbelow.

In one embodiment of the invention, an electric gaseous dischargedevice, such as a fluorescent lamp for example, having a tabulation ateach end thereof and in communication with the interior thereof, whiledisposed in a horizontal plane, is carried by a pair of heads through apre-determined path, along which the exhausting and filling operationsare performed. Each head comprises a head block which receives and gripsthe lamp tubulation and a tipping torch which seals off the tabulationfrom the lamp after the exhausting and filling operations have beenperformed thereon. Both the head block and the tipping torch arereciprocably mounted to permit them to move into and out of operativerelationship with respect to the lamp tubulation.

In the specific embodiment of the invention illustrated in theaccompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a portion of a lamp exhaustmachine showing an embodiment of the head assembly of this inventionassociated therewith.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional View of the head assembly.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional detail of the tipping torch burner.01" the head assembly.

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Figure 4 is an end view of the head assembly of Figure 2 showing thecontact fingers through which a source of electrical energy is connectedto the lead wires of the lamp.

Figure 6 is a front elevational view of the head as sembly with theburner assembly removed to show the mechanism for opening and closingthe head port.

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the head block and burnerassemblies.

Figure 8 is a developed schematic diagram of the cam which effectsreciprocation of the head block assembly.

Figure 9 is a developed schematic diagram of the cam which effectsreciprocation of the burner assembly.

Figures 10, 11 and 12 are enlarged fragmentary sectional viewssequentially illustrating the operation of the tipping torch on a lamptubulation.

Referring now to the drawings, particularly Figure 1 thereof, thespecific embodiment of the head assembly of this invention isillustratively associated with the Apparatus for Exhausting ElectricDischarge Devices shown and described in the application of Dodge etal., Serial No. 343,842 filed March 23, 1953, now U. S. Patout No.2,726,799. The head assemblies 20 are mounted on a spider 22 keyed to ashaft 24 supported in bearing bracket 26 mounted on a table 28 on a base30. Shaft 24 is driven by gear 32 mounted thereon, the gear beingconnected to a suitable drive mechanism not shown. Valves 34 and 36disposed on the shaft 24 are connected to the head assemblies 20 byflexible tubing 33 and 40 respectively. Tubing 38 connects movable plate42 of valve 34 to head block 44, the stationary plate 46 being connectedto one or more vacum pumps and if desired to a source of flushing and/orfilling gas (not shown). Tubing 40 connects the movable plate 48 ofvalve 36 to head burner 59, the stationary plate 52 being connectedfront elevational view of the head as to suitable gas sources (notshown) for feeding the head burner.

A stationary valve plate support 54 is attached by bolts 56 to frame 58mounted on base 30. The plate 46 of valve 34 is held stationary andprevented from rotating by means of pin 60 which extends through support54 and into plate 46. A gas-tight seal is effected and maintainedbetween stationary plate 46 and movable plate 42, which is fixedlymounted on the hub of spider 22, by means of a pair of spring-loadedpads .62 (one of which is shown) mounted in the support 54. The plate 52of valve 36 is prevented from rotating, held in frictional engagement,and maintained concentric with movable plate 48, which is fixedlymounted on shaft 24, .by means of a pair of spring-loaded shoulder pins64 (one of which is shown) disposed within bosses .66 on support 68which is attached to support 54. The tips of the pins 64 extend intoapertures therefor in the plate 52 to prevent rotation and to maintainconcentricity; and the shoulders of the pins 64 abut the outside face ofthe valve plate to effect and maintain frictional engagement of theplate 52 with the plate 48.

The frame 58 has a plurality of inwardly extending arms 70 (one of whichis shown) attached thereto which support a pair of commutator tracks 72.The tracks 72 are engaged during a portion of the operating cycle of themachine by flexible metal fingers 74 and .75 which are a part of thehead assembly 20. The frame 58 also has a plurality of inwardlyextending arms 76 (one of which is shown) on which cam tracks 78 and 80,for actuating certain mechanisms of the head assembly 20', are mountedand which are concentric with shaft 24.

A developed schematic diagram of cams 78 and .80 is shown in Figures 8and '9. In these diagrams, '0", which by a dwell 78a, a fall 78b, adwell 780, a rise 78d, a

dwell 782, a rise 78f-and a dwell 78g, I 7

Referring now to Figure 2, the head assembly comprises a base" 82 whichis attached to the spider'22 by bolts 84 and which serves as a supportfor the several components of the head assembly. A rod 86, supported inbearings in the base-82, has a burner plate 88 mounted on one endthereof and a block 90 mounted on the other end thereof. The block 90has a laterally extending arm 92 in which cam follower 94 is supportedand a bifurcated arm 96 depending therefrom. The arm 96 has a screw stop98 extending therethrough and engagement with the base 82. Thebifurcated portion of the arm 96 rides on a rod 100 mounted on the base82. The rod 86 is loaded by spring 102 disposed thereon between a faceof the base 82 and collar 104 mounted on the rod.

A sleeve 106, supported in bearings in the base 82, has an arm 108mounted on one end thereof, and a cam follower 110 depending from andsupported by the arm. The sleeve 106 is loaded by spring 112 disposedthereon between a face of the base 82 and collar 114 which is mountedand held rigidly on the sleeve 106 by set screw 107 (Fig. 2). The otherend of sleeve 106 has a bifurcated arm 116 mounted thereon, thebifurcated portion thereof riding on a guide rod 118 mounted on the base82. The arm 108, which is mounted on one end of the sleeve'106, has asleeve portion 120 disposed within the sleeve 106 and rigidly fixedthereto. The sleeve portion 120 of arm 108 serves as a bearing for oneend of rod 124. The sleeve portion 120 of arm 108 is provided with abore 121 within which an end of rod 124 is slidably movable, and anorifice 123 to prevent air from being trapped in the bore 121. The rod124 is supported near the other end thereof by bearing 126 in sleeve106. A collar 128 is mounted on rod 124 substantially midway between theends thereof. Springs 130 and 132 are disposed on rod 124 on oppositesides of collar 128. The head block 44, which is mounted on the rightend-of rod 124, as seen in Fig. 2, has a bifurcated arm 136 mountedthereon, the bifurcated portion thereof riding on rod 118.

The burner plate 88, which is mounted on rod 86, has

a burner144 mounted thereon. An electrical contact ring 146, concentricwith burner 144, is supported on metal legs 148 mounted on insulatingbuttons 150 and 152 on plate 88. Lead-wire 30f lamp 1 is electricallyconnected to the flexible metal finger 74, mounted on insulator 153 ofbracket 154 on the base 82, through ring 146, one of the legs 148, screw156 which extends through insulating button 152, bracket158 which ismounted on the screw 156, spring 160 which connects the bracket 158 toterminal post 162 mounted on base 82, and wire 164 which connects theinsulated terminal post 162 to the finger 74.

Lead-Wire 5 of lamp 1 extends across the face of burner 144 and isgrounded, through the several components of head assembly 20 to finger75. A cradle 166, for receiving lamps at the loading end of the machine,and for momentarily supporting the lamps after tipping of thetubulations thereof, is attached to an arm 168 mounted on burner plate88.

Referring now to Figure 7, the tubulation 7 which projectsfrom lamp 1supports the lamp duringthe cycle of the, machine. The tubulation 7extends through burner 144 on the burner plate 88, and a funnel guide170 and resilient collar 172 seated in head block 44'mounted' on rod124. The funnel guide 170 has a flange 176 which abuts a face ofresilient collar 172. A ball-bearing race 178, concentric with thefunnel guide 170, is disposed between the flange 176 of the funnel guideand'a cap 180 which is threaded on the block 44. A lever 182 clamped 4to the cap 180 has a gear 184 mounted thereon. The gear 184 meshes withgear 186 (Fig. 6) of lever 188 which is pivotally mounted at 190 inbracket 192 on block 44.

As was mentioned above, the tubulation 7 projects through resilientcollar 172 in block 44. The free end of the tubulation 7 lies within acollar 194 seated in block 44 and abuts the shank end of ejector pin 196which is slidably disposed in chamber 198 in block 44. The ejector pin196 is provided with-a port 200 at one end thereof and a port 202 at theother end thereof, each port being defined by a pair of connecting holesdrilled in the pin at right angles to one another. Port 200 establishescommunication between the lamp tubulation 7 and the chamber 198 in theblock. Port 200 establishes communication between chamber 198 and bore204, the bore 204 being in communication with tubing 38.

' Referring now to Figures 4 and 7, the burner 144, which is mounted onburner plate 88, is provided'with a centrally located aperture 208through which tubulation 7 extends and a gas chamber 210 to which gas issupplied through tubing 40.

The operation of the head assembly of this invention will now bedescribed. Since the head block 44 and the burner 144 are moved into andout of encompassing relationship with respect to tubulation 7 of lamp 1by the travel of cam followers 110 and 94 over cam tracks 78 andrespectively, the operation will be described in terms of the rises,dwells and falls of the cam tracks. As was pointed out above thedescription of the developed schematic diagram of cams 78 and 80 (Figs.8 and 9), 0, which is taken as a reference point, is located directlybeneath the shaft 24 (Fig. 1) and an imaginary circle is described aboutthe shaft 24.

As each head assembly of a pair of head assemblies 20 located in axialalignment with one another on opposite ends of the machine moves from 0to 30, the cradle 166 mounted on burner plate 88 receives a lamp 1 whichis fed thereto either manually or mechanically. After the head assemblyhas rotated 30 the burner 144 and the head block 44 then move inwardlytoward the end of the lamp to encompass the tubulation 7. The burnerplate 88 is moved inwardly by the fall 80b of cam 80 (Fig. 9). As thecam follower 94 (Fig. 2) rides along the fall 80b of cam 80, the spring102, which loads rod 86 on which} burner plate 88 is mounted, drives theburner plate inwardly. Head block 44 is moved inwardly to encompasstubulation 7 by the fall 78b (Fig. 8) of cam 78. As the cam followerrides along the fall 78b of cam 78, the spring 112 which loads sleeve106 through collar 114 fixed tosleeve 106 drives sleeve 106 inwardlyuntil collar 114 strikes base 82. As the sleeve 106 moves inwardly, therod 124 which is disposed therein is carried inwardly by it. The inwardmovement of rod 124 on which the head block 44 is mounted moves the headblock into eucompassing relationship with respect to tubulation 7. Thetubulation 7 of the lamp is now disposed as in Fig. 7, i. e., it extendsthrough aperture 208 in burner 144, funnel guide and resilient collar172 in block 44, with the free end thereof lying within collar 194 andabutting the shank end of pin 196 which is in chamber 198. Since thiscondition occurs prior to the time that sleeve 106 has completed itsinward travel, the remainder of the inward travel of sleeve 106 efiectsa rearward displacement of the rod 124 within bore 121, places a load onspring 132 and thus, prevents excessive end pressure through the headblock 44 on tubulation 7.

With each end of the lamp 1 now supported by its tubulation 7 within theresilient collar 172 of the head block 44, the lamp having been liftedfrom the cradle 166 by the inward movement of the head block 44 intoencompassing relationship with respect to the tubulation 7, collar 172is now clamped tightly to tubulation 7 by actuation of lever 188. Thisaction occurs during dwell 78a of cam 78. Lever 188 is actuated by aspring-loaded cam follower 189 (Fig. 6) supported on a suitable fixedmember (not shown) of the machine and lying in the path traversed by thelever 188. As the lever 188 moves into engagement with and rides pastthe spring loaded cam follower 189, it is displaced thereby. Therotational movement of lever 188 is translated through gear 186 of lever188, gear 184 of lever 182, and lever 182 which is clamped to cap 180,into a tightening of cap 180 on block 44. Tightening of the cap 180elfects a clamping of the resilient collar 172 tightly about thetubulation 7 through ball-bearing race 178 and flange 176 of funnelguide 170. The lamp 1 is now supported by the resilient collar 172 andan airtight seal about the tubulation 7 has been effected. The camfollower 110 then traverses rise 78d of cam 78 (Fig. 8) therebyretracting sleeve 106 and relieving the load which has been placed onrod 124 by spring 132 during the latter portion of the inward travel ofsleeve 106. When this occurs there is no end pressure through the headblock 44 on the tubulation.

Processing of the lamp on the exhausting and filling machine as it movesthrough its operating cycle is now effected. Evacuating, and/orflushing, and/or filling of the lamp may be accomplished through valve34 (Fig. 1) which is connected to the lamp through tubing 38, bore 204(Fig. 7), port 202, chamber 198, port 200, and tubulation 7.Conditioning of the electrodes of the lamp by the passage of currenttherethrough is accomplished by connecting the commutator tracks 72(Figs. 1 and 3) to a source of electrical energy (not shown). The tracks72 are engaged by flexible metal fingers '74 and 75 mounted on theinsulator 153 of bracket 154 on head base 82. The finger 74 iselectrically connected to lead-wire 3 of lamp 1 (Fig. 2) through wire164, insulated terminal post 162, spring 160, bracket 158, screw 156,leg 148 of ring 146 and ring 146. As was mentioned above, lead-wire 5 oflamp 1 extends across the face of burner 144 and is grounded to finger75 through the several head components.

When these processing operations have been completed, the tubulation 7is tipped from the lamp 1. Tipping of the tubulation 7 is effected byburner 144, hereinafter referred to as the tipping torch. The tippingtorch is lit by a pilot (not shown) suitably mounted on a fixed supportsuch as a stationary member of the machine adjacent to the pathtraversed by the tipping torch and disposed at a point in the operatingcycle where it is desired that tipping be performed. When the camfollower 94 (Fig. 2) traverses fall 800 (Fig. 9) of cam 80, the tippingtorch 144 mounted on burner plate 88 is advanced toward the lamp 1 fromthe position shown in Figure 10 to the position shown in Figure 11,since the burner plate 88 is mounted on one end of rod 86 and camfollower 94 is mounted on arm 92 of block 90 which is mounted on theother end of rod 86. During the dwell Site of cam 80, the tipping torch144 heats the tubulation 7 to a molten state (Fig. 11).

Before the cam follower 94 completes its traversal of dwell 80e, camfollower 110 starts to traverse rise 78] (Fig. 8) of cam 78. When thecam follower 110 rides along rise 78; it retracts sleeve 106 (Fig. 2),to which it is connected by arm 188. Retraction of sleeve 106 loadsspring 138 which is disposed therein concentric with rod 124 on whichhead block 44 is mounted, since bearing 126 is fixedly attached tosleeve 106 and one end of spring 130 is in abutting relationship withrespect thereto. Rod 124, loaded by spring 138, retracts the head block44 and thereby effects a stretching and eventual severing of the moltentubulation 7. After the head block 44 has retracted sufficiently toeffect a severing of the tubulation 7, the cam follower 94 thentraverses rise 80f (Fig. 8) to effect retraction of the tipping torch144. The cam follower 94 and the cam follower 110 then continue totraverse rises 80 and 78 until dwells 80g and 78g respectively arereached. At this time, the tipping torch 144 and the head block 44 havereached their fully 6 retracted positions. Since the tubulations 7 ateach end of the lamp supported it during the operating cycle of themachine, tipping of the tubulations 7 therefrom frees the lamp from thehead blocks 44 and permits it to rest in the cradles 166 momentarilyuntil it is removed from the machine.

Although the completed lamp has been delivered from the machine, theheads which carried it must be prepared to receive another lamp. Moreparticularly, the tubulations 7 must be removed. Before this can bedone, however, the gripping force exerted thereon by the resilientcollar 172 in head 44 must be relieved. This occurs when the lever 182(Fig. 6) moves into engagement with and rides past spring-loaded camfollower 183 which lies in its path, the cam follower 183 beingsupported on a suitable fixed member (not shown) of the machine.Rotation of the lever 182 effects rotation of threaded cap 180 on whichit is mounted. Rotation of cap 180 loosens it and relieves the forcewhich had been previously applied through ball-bearing race 178 andflange 176 of funnel guide to resilient collar 172. Since lever 182 isconnected to lever 188 through gears 184 and 186, the lever 188 is alsodisplaced by the rotation of lever 182 (Fig. 6).

The tubulation 7 is now free to be ejected from the head block 44. Thisis accomplished by connecting the valve 34 (Fig. 1) to a source ofcompressed air (not shown). This blast of air into the head block 44through tubing 38 and bore 204 (Fig. 7) drives the ejector pin 196forward within the chamber 198 until the head thereof hits the collar194. This stroke of ejector pin 196 pushes the tubulation 7 out of theresilient collar 172 and the funnel guide 170. The return stroke of theejector pin 196 within its chamber 198 is efiected by the tubulation 7of the next lamp when the head assembly 20 moves into encompassingrelationship therewith.

What I claim is:

1. In apparatus for exhausting electric discharge devices and the likehaving a tubulation projecting therefrom, the combination of a headassembly comprising: a base member; a head block reciprocably mounted onsaid base member, said head block having an opening therein forreceiving the tubulation of the device, means for effecting a hermeticseal about the tubulation, and means through which said head block isconnected to exhausting means; means for advancing said head block tomove it into encompassing relationship with respect to the tubulation ofthe device and to apply a force thereto end-on to insure properpositioning of the tubulation in the head block; and means for removingthis force after positioning of the tubulation has been eifected.

2. In apparatus for exhausting electric discharge devices and the likehaving a tubulation projecting therefrom, the combination of a headassembly comprising: a base member; a head block reciprocably mounted onsaid base member, said head block having an opening therein forreceiving the tubulation of the device, means for effecting a hermeticseal about the tubulation, and means through which said head block isconnected to exhausting means; means for advancing said head block tomove it into encompassing relationship with respect to the tubulation ofthe device and to apply a force thereto end-on to insure properpositioning of the tubulation in the head block; means for removing thisforce after positioning of the tubulation has been effected; and atipping torch disposed in operative relationship with respect to thetubulation extending into said head block to effect a sealing thereofafter the exhausting operation has been effected.

3. In apparatus for exhausting electric discharge devices and the likehaving a tubulation projecting therefrom, the combination of a headassembly comprising: a base member; a head block reciprocably mounted onsaid base member, said head block having an opening therein forreceiving the tubulationof the device, means for effecting a hermeticseal about the tubulation, 'and means through which said head block isconnected to exhausting means; means for advancing said head block tomove it into eucompassing relationship with respect to the tiihu lationof the device and to apply a force theretoend-on to insure "properpositioning of the tub'ulation' in the head block; means for removingthis force after positioning of the tubulation has been effected; atipping torch reciprocably mounted on said base member, said tippingtorch having an aperture therein in axial alignment with the opening insaid head block which receives the tubulation of the device and throughwhich the tubulation extends; and means for reciprocating said tippingtorch axially With respect to the tubulation to move said tipping'torchinto and out of operative relationship with respect thereto to eifect asealing thereof after the exhausting operatic has been effected.

'References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

